Foreign Office Minister: Settlement activity should stop

This news article was published under
the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt comments following Israel's announcement that 1500 additional settlements will be built in East Jerusalem.

UK Foreign Minister Alistair Burt said:

“I am deeply disappointed with Israel’s announcement on 19 May to build up to 1500 settlement units in the East Jerusalem settlements of Har Homa and Pisgat Zeev. This decision came on the same day as President Obama’s important speech on the Middle East, which set out a clear path towards peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. Settlement activity is a recognised obstacle to this path. It is illegal under international law and should stop. The UK continues to call on Israel to cease unhelpful and destabilising activity and instead help build the conditions that allow meaningful negotiations to resume.”